https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-230-Hey-This-Tree-Was-Planted-by-Me-/12830860/
Chapter 229: A Heart at Rest
Chapter 229: A Heart at Rest
The mountains, rivers, towns, and plains flashed by before their eyes.
"Calm down, we’ll be falling out of the sky in a moment."
In the flying taxi, Jing He was gripping Kowait's arm.
"Chirp~ chirp~~"
Kowait had already calmed down.
Putting aside the fact that they were currently in a flying taxi, Kowait realized that this Steelix was flying incredibly fast and was extremely agile. Its stones had missed!
Then, Jing He held it down.
"Chirp"
Kowait clenched its hammer, muttering to itself.
It seemed it still needed to become stronger!
The Steelix, gripping the taxi, couldn't help but wipe a bead of sweat from its forehead.
That was close.
It finally understood why its kind in the Paldea region had such a tough life.
Don't let the cute and small appearance of Kowait fool you; those stones it hammers out are no joke.
It had the feeling that if it were hit by one, it might lose some feathers.
If it were unlucky enough to be hit on the head, the consequences would be unimaginable!
The taxi driver, however, remained calm and didn't show much surprise.
It seemed he was familiar with the feud between Kowait and Steelix.
In its earlier form as a Kowait, it was relatively weak, and the hammers it crafted often attracted metal-eating Pokemon like Steelix and Cutiefly.
Once Kowait evolved into Kowait, it would attack Cutiefly groups to collect metal for its hammers.
By the time it became a Gigantamax Kowait, it would sometimes use its hammer to launch rocks at flying Steelix to obtain metal.
Otherwise, the flying taxis in the Paldea region wouldn't be dominated by smaller flying Pokemon like Pelipper.
However, Jing He's Kowait was exceptionally strong.
This old Steelix, considered the best in the entire Galar fleet, had almost been hit by Kowait.
If it were any other Steelix, it would have been knocked down and plucked by now.
After some time, the flying taxi driver reminded them, "Young man, we’re almost there."
An island in the northeastern part of the Galar region appeared in their sight.
Armor Island!
Armor Island was quite large, with forests, wetlands, sand dunes, and caves, among other complex natural environments.
It was home to a large number of wild Pokemon.
Without sufficient strength, venturing out on Armor Island was extremely dangerous.
"Gengar!"
Gengar, lying on the window, pointed to two towering structures on the distant island, one to the east and one to the west.
Since they were entering Armor Island from the west, the western tower was more visible.
Faintly, they could see a rapid waterfall cascading down.
The eastern tower, on the other hand, was shrouded in black mist.
The taxi driver, familiar with the towers, smiled and explained, "These are the Twin Fist Towers. The western one is the Water Tower, and the eastern one is the Dark Tower. They teach different martial arts techniques."
"The Water Tower focuses on the 'Continuous Strike Style,' known for its unbroken flow of attacks, like water and waves, each strike stronger than the last."
"The Dark Tower specializes in the 'One-Hit Strike Style,' emphasizing explosive power to instantly defeat opponents."
"Chirp~~"
Kowait pointed at the Dark Tower, its eyes gleaming.
Initially, Siba had suggested that Jing He could have Kowait try learning the 'One-Hit Strike Style.'
Jing He nodded in agreement.
He was familiar with the towers. They corresponded to the two evolution forms of Tyrogue: the Water Tower's Continuous Strike Style Bisharp and the Dark Tower's One-Hit Strike Style Bisharp.
Bisharp was one of Master Masuda's most iconic Pokemon.
However, as Masuda's disciple, Dian did not seem to have inherited this legacy.
It was said that Dian got lost while taking his Tyrogue to find the two towers!
No wonder it was Dian.
"Gengar~~"
Gengar suddenly pulled out a phone and showed a photo.
It was a picture of a young Master Masuda, with two Bisharp standing on either side of him, each in a different stance.
"Ooh?"
The little ones gathered around, their expressions serious.
"Chirp"
They all looked strong.
"It’s just a bear’s paw," Jing He joked.
The little ones all looked at him with odd expressions.
Looks like you’re really hungry.
"We’re about to land~~" the taxi driver reminded them, and the Steelix descended toward a building that looked like a dojo.
Armor Island.
Master Masuda’s Dojo.
Under the blue sky, a Steelix landed with a flap of its wings.
In the distance, the complex forest and rolling hills met the vast, shimmering sea, where a vicious Gyarados slowly emerged from the water.
The taxi driver left his number and ran off, as if afraid of being left behind.
"Chirp"
Kowait, holding its hammer, had just started looking for stones on the beach when it noticed the Steelix had flown away, muttering in annoyance.
Jing He looked around, nodding thoughtfully.
No wonder the Galar Champion, undefeated for 18 years, could afford such a large island. His wealth must almost rival Professor Oak’s.
When I have the money, I’ll—
Certainly, buying a small island is on the list.
Living a leisurely life with the little ones and then finding a lovely lady to share it with—wouldn't that be delightful?
The dojo's main door creaked open.
Out stepped a young woman in a bright green sweater, heavily made up, and holding a broom.
"Are you Teacher Jing He?" she asked with a smile, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
This was Mace de Maranda's wife, Honey Leaf! They were an unlikely couple, with a significant age gap, but they fell in love at first sight and got married in a whirlwind. Together, they moved to Crown Tundra and started living a carefree life (strike that) and opened the Master Mace Dojo.
As Mace's supportive wife, Honey Leaf was well-respected within the dojo.
However, her past as the president of a trading company meant she had a reputation for being somewhat greedy, which sometimes irked the dojo's apprentices.
Jing He had also been swindled by her more than once when playing Sword/Shield!
"The weather is so nice today, perfect for airing out the bedding," Honey Leaf said, shielding her eyes from the sun.
Jing He smiled in response.
"Are you Miss Honey Leaf? You're so young and beautiful; Master Mace is truly fortunate."
See, what does it mean to be a winner in life? Mace must have saved the world in his past life.
Jing He's compliment clearly pleased Honey Leaf, and she laughed, covering her mouth.
"Teacher Jing He, you're such a smooth talker, much sweeter than Dian Di."
Jing He just smiled in response.
"Master Mace is in the main hall. Let me take you there."
"Thank you."
They entered the dojo, passed through a garden, and arrived at the main building.
In the hall, an energetic old man with a green coat, green hat, and flowing white eyebrows sat on a corner sofa. In front of him was a monitor connected to a game, showing a few characters jumping around.
Honey Leaf said apologetically to Jing He,
"Master Mace gets so engrossed in games that he often loses track of time. You might have to wait a bit, Teacher Jing He."
Before Jing He could respond, she continued,
"But it looks like he's about to lose."
As if on cue, the screen displayed "GAME OVER."
Jing He couldn't help but glance at Honey Leaf.
This was the real expert?
At that moment, Mace noticed the two people behind him and turned around.
"Oh, did I keep you waiting long?"
"Not at all."
"We just arrived."
Seeing Jing He, Mace's long white eyebrows twitched, and he asked,
"Little He He?"
Little He He?
Jing He's lips twitched.
What kind of nickname was this?
But considering Mace was a senior, a former champion, and a martial arts master, he couldn't afford to offend him.
So, he steeled himself and said,
"Master Mace."
Mace stood up from the sofa with a chuckle.
"Little He He, you came quickly."
Could he not?
The old headmaster had booked a first-class ticket to the Galar region for him the same night, even securing a visa early.
"Come, let me show you some Pokemon. You can choose one."
Mace clapped his hands and squinted his eyes.
Pokemon?
Jing He was taken aback.
What did Pokemon have to do with this? Wasn't he here to help the Blacksmith learn fighting techniques?
Seeing Mace heading toward the dojo's backyard, Jing He hurriedly said,
"Wait, Master Mace, what Pokemon?"
The old headmaster hadn't mentioned anything about this.
Wait a minute.
The old headmaster had seemed hesitant to say something but ultimately didn't.
At the time, Jing He thought it was about funding, so he had hung up quickly.
Now it seemed...
Mace stopped and turned halfway.
"Little He He, you only have four Pokemon, right?"
"That's true..."
"Then that's settled. My Pokemon should not disappoint you."
Jing He: "?"
I never said I wanted to catch a new Pokemon.
What if Master Mace pulls out an Alakazam or a Metagross? I can't afford to keep them.
Or is it his signature move?
Before Jing He could refuse, Mace, who had led him to the backyard, stretched and sighed.
"However, to catch those Pokemon, Little He He, you'll need to pass a test."
A test?
Hearing the word "test," Jing He didn't feel nervous; instead, he sighed in relief.
A test was good.
If he failed the test, he wouldn't have to catch any Pokemon.
They arrived at an open space.
Mace smiled again.
"The test is—let me check your skills first."
Check his skills?
Fight against Mace?
Jing He relaxed a bit.
That was fine.
Beating Mace was impossible, but losing to him would be easy, right?
However.
When Mace threw two Poke Balls, summoning a Pidove and a Lillipup, Jing He's expression froze.
Looking at the two young and small Pokemon, then at the eager Blacksmith and the other little ones, Jing He wondered,
Is this a joke?
How special are these Pokemon that even Mace, undefeated for eighteen years, is willing to let me catch them?
His heart, which had been racing, finally settled.
A gentle breeze blew by, rustling the leaves and flattening the grass, revealing a tuft of gray and brown fur—
(−ω−) zzZ
(End of Chapter)
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